Barred NCERT experts move SC seeking hearing in Class 8 book row

Three experts barred by the Supreme Court over their association with a Class 8 NCERT textbook chapter on the judiciary have approached the court seeking permission to present their case.

The applications were filed by Michel Danino, Suparna Diwakar, and Alok Prasanna Kumar, following the court’s March 11 order restricting them from any role in curriculum development or appointments in state bodies.

Appearing for Kumar, Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan argued that the content was not aimed solely at the judiciary but addressed challenges across institutions.

"They are not fly-by-night authors. They are respected individuals. A new committee has now been constituted," he told the court, adding that due process was followed.

Senior Advocate Arvind Datar, representing Danino, said detailed submissions had already been placed before the bench. Representing Diwakar, Senior Advocate J Sai Deepak highlighted the collaborative nature of the work.

"This was a collaborative process, and no single individual had sole authorship or decision-making authority," he submitted.

The bench led by the Chief Justice of India noted that the applications are not yet on record and directed that the matter be listed after procedural defects are addressed. It also took note of affidavits filed by the three individuals in response to the earlier order.

The court reiterated its direction to the Union government to form a committee of experts, including a former judge, an educationist, and a senior legal expert, to review such matters.

It added that the panel’s scope should extend beyond the Class 8 chapter to examine content across NCERT textbooks.

The court recorded a compliance affidavit submitted by a three-member panel comprising Justice Indu Malhotra, Senior Advocate KK Venugopal, and Garhwal University Vice Chancellor Prakash Singh.

It said the panel will work with the National Judicial Academy in Bhopal to finalize legal studies content for Class 8 and higher grades in line with NCERT guidelines.

It also highlighted that NCERT issued a notification on April 2 reconstituting a high-powered committee for preparing the national syllabus and teacher learning framework.

"NCERT has also issued notification on April 2 whereby a high-powered committee for the preparation of national syllabus and teacher learning committee has been reconstituted. The details of the 20 distinguished members, including Mr MC Pant being the chairman, has been constituted. We take both the orders/notification on record as well as compliance affidavit," the court recorded.